underworld

noun

un·​der·​world ˈən-dər-ˌwərld 

1

: the place of departed souls : hades

2

archaic : earth

3

: the side of the earth opposite to one : antipodes

4

: a social sphere below the level of ordinary life

the town's seedy underworld

especially : the world of organized crime

Synonyms of underworld

• abyss
• netherworld
• depths
• demimonde

Examples of underworld in a Sentence

a magazine article taking an insightful look at the underworld inhabited by street people

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet, few authors, if any, have captured the spirit of the culinary underworld with such raw honesty and authenticity. — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026

Yash appears in a dual role as Raya and Ticket, navigating the city’s underworld through violence and strategic manipulation. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

The bodies start piling up – and business booms – but the growing enterprise puts the trio in the crosshairs of the powerful gangsters and underworld figures in the lawless border town of Saribgunj. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

What to read next There, her parents are transformed into pigs and Chihiro is thrust into a vibrant but terrifying underworld. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing underworld

• the underworld

Rhymes for underworld

• netherworld
• otherworld
• curled
• furled
• hurled
• knurled
• swirled
• twirled
• whirled
• whorled
• world
• lifeworld

Kids Definition

underworld

noun

un·​der·​world ˈən-dər-ˌwərld 

1

: the place of the souls of the dead

2

: the side of the earth opposite to one

3

: the world of organized crime